Merchants gear up for Small Business Saturday

Brandon Terry, owner of Terry's Mountain Wood Art, makes a variety of items at his business on Greenville Highway.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 5:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 5:12 p.m.

One reason 30-year-old wood artist Brandon Terry opened his new business on Greenville Highway was to help vitalize the local economy.

Facts

10 reasons to shop and dine locally

1. Keep the dollars in our local economy.When you shop in our community, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development.2. Local business owners invest in community.Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave and are more invested in the community's future.3. Support community businesses.The well-being of a community benefits when you shop locally. 4. It's in your backyardReduce your environmental footprint and save money at the same time. Shopping in Henderson County means no need for long drives and overnight stays. You're not burning fuel and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. 5. Consider what our retailers are facing.They purchased their stock six months ago for $100 hoping to sell it today for $120 while pay their employees, taxes, heating, donating to charity and hopefully pay themselves while they are being asked to sell it for $80.6. More jobs and wages.Supporting our local merchants means more jobs and better wages for our community. 7. Keep our city unique.We have a variety of unique specialty shops and products. These businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of our community Our tourism industry benefits from this. 8. Get better service.Our area merchants take pride in hiring the right people who are passionate about their products and services. Let's support them by shopping locally. 9. Lots of great products.With so many great stores, markets, restaurants and crafters, the choices are endless. 10. We love our community. Let's keep our money here.We can encourage local prosperity by keeping our hard earned dollars in our local economy.--Chamber of Commerce

As a fifth-generation county native, Terry has seen local businesses shift toward larger retail chains. In an effort to support smaller businesses, he opened Terry’s Mountain Wood Art at 1002 Greenville Highway about a month ago and is looking forward to the Saturday following Black Friday to promote small businesses in the county.

Small Business Saturday, a day when shoppers are encouraged to spend money in their communities, occurs between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local merchants are counting on sales from that day to help their businesses and the area’s economy.

“I am here for the locals and (to) supply the community with beautiful art,” Terry said.

Chainsaw artist Rick Withrow, who was taught by legendary Mountain Dan, is scheduled to demonstrate his skills Saturday at Terry’s Mountain Wood Art. Withrow is known for his bear, raccoon, mushroom and other wood carvings.

Terry’s Mountain Wood Art carries several items including wood reindeer, benches, coffee tables, mask art, bottle trees and more. He carries merchandise that is unique and cannot be found at larger retail stores.

“There is always room for small, local businesses to grow and prosper and continue to be a place where people can go,” Terry said. “Without local support, smaller businesses could not exist,”

Terry operates the business with his wife, Heather, and they are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Hendersonville merchants are ready for the holidays and want to welcome customers to their shops like they would be welcomed into someone’s home, said Caroline Gunther, owner, Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique on North Main Street.

Gunther said she’s excited about the holiday weekend and will open her doors early at 8 a.m. for Small Business Saturday.

“We really want to make it a special holiday experience,” Gunther said.

If everyone in Henderson County shifted $20 from purchases they would have made online or outside the community to local businesses, the impact would be more than $2 million in sales, said Lew Holloway, Main Street director.

“Small choices made in favor of small local businesses can have a big impact for our community,” Holloway said. “Show your pride in Hendersonville and Henderson County by spending some of your hard-earned resources with the small business owners of Historic Downtown Hendersonville this Saturday and throughout the holiday season.”

Mia’s Marketplace of Antiques and More will have special deals and refreshments, and will also open early at 8 a.m. on North Main Street.

For more information about downtown Hendersonville, visit www.downtownhendersonville.org.

Small businesses are personally involved in the community and make tremendous contributions every year by sponsoring sports teams, contributing to local charities and raising money for special needs, said Bob Williford, president of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

“Small Business Saturday presents us with a great way to show them (small businesses) our support and thank them for all that they do to make our community a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Williford said.

Sales taxes collected by Henderson County businesses make up over 20 percent of the county’s budget and between 20 and 30 percent of its municipalities’ budgets, according to The Chamber.

Henderson County kicked off the Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign that encourages residents to spend money locally. For more information on the Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign, visit www.hendersoncountychamber.org.

<p>One reason 30-year-old wood artist Brandon Terry opened his new business on Greenville Highway was to help vitalize the local economy.</p><p>As a fifth-generation county native, Terry has seen local businesses shift toward larger retail chains. In an effort to support smaller businesses, he opened Terry's Mountain Wood Art at 1002 Greenville Highway about a month ago and is looking forward to the Saturday following Black Friday to promote small businesses in the county.</p><p>Small Business Saturday, a day when shoppers are encouraged to spend money in their communities, occurs between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Local merchants are counting on sales from that day to help their businesses and the area's economy.</p><p>“I am here for the locals and (to) supply the community with beautiful art,” Terry said.</p><p>Chainsaw artist Rick Withrow, who was taught by legendary Mountain Dan, is scheduled to demonstrate his skills Saturday at Terry's Mountain Wood Art. Withrow is known for his bear, raccoon, mushroom and other wood carvings.</p><p>Terry's Mountain Wood Art carries several items including wood reindeer, benches, coffee tables, mask art, bottle trees and more. He carries merchandise that is unique and cannot be found at larger retail stores.</p><p>“There is always room for small, local businesses to grow and prosper and continue to be a place where people can go,” Terry said. “Without local support, smaller businesses could not exist,”</p><p>Terry operates the business with his wife, Heather, and they are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.</p><p>Downtown Hendersonville merchants are ready for the holidays and want to welcome customers to their shops like they would be welcomed into someone's home, said Caroline Gunther, owner, Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique on North Main Street.</p><p>Gunther said she's excited about the holiday weekend and will open her doors early at 8 a.m. for Small Business Saturday.</p><p>“We really want to make it a special holiday experience,” Gunther said. </p><p>If everyone in Henderson County shifted $20 from purchases they would have made online or outside the community to local businesses, the impact would be more than $2 million in sales, said Lew Holloway, Main Street director.</p><p>“Small choices made in favor of small local businesses can have a big impact for our community,” Holloway said. “Show your pride in Hendersonville and Henderson County by spending some of your hard-earned resources with the small business owners of Historic Downtown Hendersonville this Saturday and throughout the holiday season.” </p><p>Mia's Marketplace of Antiques and More will have special deals and refreshments, and will also open early at 8 a.m. on North Main Street.</p><p>“Buying local keeps small businesses alive and flourishing,” owner Mia Freeman said.</p><p>For more information about downtown Hendersonville, visit www.downtownhendersonville.org.</p><p>Small businesses are personally involved in the community and make tremendous contributions every year by sponsoring sports teams, contributing to local charities and raising money for special needs, said Bob Williford, president of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.</p><p>“Small Business Saturday presents us with a great way to show them (small businesses) our support and thank them for all that they do to make our community a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Williford said.</p><p>Sales taxes collected by Henderson County businesses make up over 20 percent of the county's budget and between 20 and 30 percent of its municipalities' budgets, according to The Chamber.</p><p>Henderson County kicked off the Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign that encourages residents to spend money locally. For more information on the Shop & Dine Henderson County campaign, visit www.hendersoncountychamber.org.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>